Big Bad Bayern and sparkling Díaz serve up a clear signal to German league's pursuing teams.

When Saturday's action evolved into evening, Bayern Munich exhibited their present dominance as the unstoppable force, virtually untouchable and stimulated into their top gear by worthy opponents, as demonstrated in their later match at improving Eintracht Frankfurt.

Bundesliga Clash

Despite the fact that Dortmund's encounter with RB Leipzig was considered of a crucial encounter in the early part of the domestic championship, with top contenders clashing, anticipations were somewhat tempered in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Either Niko Kovac citing his fellow ex- Bayern manager Giovanni Trapattoni ("when you cannot win, you can't lose," he reflected at the final whistle) or his opposite number Ole Werner discussing his "still developing" side, it felt as if a shared points was just, leaving both parties partially sated, moderately annoyed.

Traditional Tension

This represents a game that is significant, and has historically carried weight since RB's top-flight arrival. These opposing sides are completely different in perspective and what they believe they stand for.

Although the top division is by now used to Leipzig – instead of having fully accepted the club ideologically – there is a particular degree of animosity that meets RB when they come to their home ground.

Advertising Campaigns

On Friday morning prominent advertisements in the city center displayed two helpings of fries, one without toppings and one with ketchup and mayo (for the club colors of RB), accompanied by the legend "Yellow alone won't bring happiness," with the wordplay of gelb rather than geld making light of the image of Leipzig as a purely corporate project.

The advertisements were signed "with sporting greetings, their nickname." After all these years RB understand they'll never become considered as legitimate by significant portions of German football fans, so have opted to knowingly embrace the villain arc; a comparable marketing effort was implemented in Bayern's city ahead of their first away game there, playfully mentioning "finally a simple traditional kit" making an appearance after particular followers' objections about the title holders' new strip.

Fixture Key Moments

The fact both clubs are aiming at the same sort of level further increases the needle, even if it is not the motivation behind it. Munich's impressive form has additionally highlighted this sentiment, and seeing the Colombian winger surpass even the English striker this weekend, with his comeback displays overcoming the continued absence of Jamal Musiala, this weekend has been a demonstration of the actual situation of where everyone is.

The visitors began strongly and caught BVB cold with a practiced set-piece, finished by Christoph Baumgartner but created by dead-ball expert their tactical coach, released from his role with Dortmund's under-23s in spring.

Looking a bit leggy from their midweek Champions League exertions the Dortmund restored parity through an beautifully crafted goal of their own, with the Brazilian defender applying the final touch and though "the result was uncertain" in the scorer's opinion, the tie felt about right.

After the Game Assessment

If there was a declaration waiting to be made here, there was no team strong enough to quite make it. Their defender spoke of his squad's improvement under Werner, arguing that his side had demonstrated resilience and "played like real men, an area needing improvement to some extent last year," but it all seemed like little steps in the correct path instead of laying down any sort of gauntlet.

"We're one of the best teams in the league," he added and there is little disputing that as stands, but there is also the sense that it won't quite be enough this year in terms of mounting a serious challenge at the top.

Coaching Debates

This encounter perhaps underlined precisely how Dortmund have progressed under the coaching of their manager, but also why there may be clear ceilings to what they can achieve with him at the control. They survived their tiredness and the visitors' dominant periods and, in the final minutes of the game, hinted that they could be ready to step forth and claim three points, notably through the timely introductions of the experienced midfielder and Jobe Bellingham.

However, was the confidence to convert momentum into a success, or simply aspiration that it would? Kovac's Dortmund can be difficult opponents, but there is a uncertainty over whether they possess championship quality. As goalkeeper Gregor Kobel indicated, the trip to Bayern after the national team pause will tell us plenty.

League Overview

If Dortmund or Leipzig should be winners is a distinct matter. Following numerous seasons of various challenges, possibly the hosts require a campaign of consistent results, of managing development of steady growth; the ultimate goal also being that of Leipzig.

For teams and clubs that consider themselves total opposites, they spent this weekend providing an excellent demonstration of being in the same boat.

League Table